Gawain, Green Knight and Robyn Hode - Term Paper Example

Sur of the of the ‘Compare and Contrast the Values of Heroism: Gawain and the Green Knight vs. Robyn Hode’ Q. To what extent do the values of heroism in the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries transcend class, as illustrated by one text aimed at the upper class, ‘Sir Gawain and the Green Knight’, and one text aimed at a more popular, lower-or middle-class audience, ‘A Gest of Robyn Hode?’ Introduction In popular culture, heroism generally means doing what is right, despite the odds. The essence of a heroic character is his ability to defy the odds and defeat the challenges that lie in his path. Whether it is Beowulf vs. Grendel, Theseus vs. the Minotaur, Robin Hood vs. the Sheriff of Nottingham or Sir Gawain vs. the Green Knight, these stories share a common theme in that virtue is rewarded and vice punished. The appeal of these stories through the ages and their survival to the present day is proof of the fact that the battle between the forces of good and evil is a topic of everlasting value. Couched in these values are innumerable tales of valor and bravery, seemingly against insurmountable odds, that are available in most cultures of the world. This paper will comment upon the values of heroism as brought out in two folklore tales specific to British medieval literature, namely Sir Gawain and the Green Knight (from King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table) and Robin Hood of Sherwood Forest. As the first tale was directed mainly towards the upper classes and the second towards the lower classes of medieval society, we will also try to determine whether the popularity of these tales crossed the class boundaries of that time. The Meaning of Heroism in Medieval Times In the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries in medieval England, heroism was related to chivalry and valor, and one who risked his life and limb to protect a maiden’s honor or save a village from plunder by an evil force was worthy of the highest accolades in the land. It was a time when might was crushed by right, and justly so. It was the duty of the King and his minions to protect the lives and property of its worthy citizens. In return, the people paid homage, respect and taxes to the Royal Treasury. The hero was one who despite his human weaknesses, strove to fight for the cause of righteousness. Anyone who challenged King Arthur and his Knights at the Round Table was an enemy of them all and of the kingdom as well. Similarly anyone who challenged the forces of evil, albeit of bad King John- was considered a hero of the people. Robin Hood and Sir Gawain are the heroes of the poems that narrate these tales to us in old English. The first robbed from the rich and gave to the poor- a Good Samaritan aiming for a more equitable distribution of wealth in society. The second rose to confront the Green Knight and protect the good name of the King by valiantly being the first to accept the Green Knight’s challenge. In time the tale of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight became a standard for heroism among the upper classes and Robin Hood a similar standard for the lower class population. Sir Gawain and the Green Knight The story begins when just after Christmas-tide when the New Year had dawned and King Arthur and his Knights were seated at the palace after dinner when all of a sudden their revelry was rudely interrupted by the sight of a large figure clad in green. He rode without stopping right into the Great Hall and asked to be introduced to the ruler of the people. He was clad in green from top to bottom, and even his horse bore this hue. In one hand he held a holly leaf and the other an axe. In view of his countenance and that of his horse, he could only be called the Green Knight. King Arthur introduced himself and invited the man to spell out what was troubling him, but in return the man threw everyone a challenge that if any man could withstand a blow from him, he would deem them worthy of respect. He was willing to receive a blow first, after which he would give the dealer of the blow the time of a year and a day to prepare for a blow from him. Upon this challenge, Sir Gawain, Arthur’s nephew, now getting on in age and not as quick as the others, offered himself up for the reckoning. After receiving Arthur’s blessing, Sir Gawain dealt the Green Knight a blow that severed his head from his shoulders. Unfettered by what had happened, the headless creature picked up his head and asked Sir Gawain to meet him at the end of a year and a day. Upon asking his name, the Knight told Sir Gawain to ask for the Knight of the Green Castle. That said, horse and rider rode swiftly off into the darkness whence they had come. It was soon a year and a day and Sir Gawain prepared for the rendezvous with the Green Knight. With heavy heart many a knight counseled him, and on the day Sir Gawain set forth attired in his best armor. He rode many a mile, asking directions for the Green Castle, which many had never heard of. In the process he met and dealt with many dangerous men and creatures. It so happened that one day he came upon a clearing near a forest from which you could see a fair castle. Sir Gawain approached the castle and asked to be let in. He came upon the owner of the castle and after introducing himself as a Knight at the Court of King Arthur, partook in a feast of revelry. After this he met some ladies and was particularly taken up with one. She in turn also showed some interest. Then the owner of the castle asked Sir Gawain what was troubling him and Sir Gawain mentioned that he wanted the directions to the Green Castle. The owner gave him the directions and mentioned that he could reach it in four days. That said, the owner and Sir Gawain agreed in jest that whatever Sir Gawain would find on his journey would be given to the owner, and vice versa. After this Gawain spent a few days at the castle, during which he was courted by the lady who fell in love with him. Meanwhile, the lord of the castle had chosen to hunt and shared the spoils with Sir Gawain every evening. When it was time to leave, Sir Gawain did so and rode swiftly to find the Green Castle. This was a very nondescript structure and Sir Gawain was not impressed by it. However Sir Gawain called out for the Green Knight who came out well equipped with a sharp axe. Sir Gawain readied himself for the blow but flinched and swerved aside as the Green Knight delivered it. Upon this he was chided by the knight. A second blow was withstood by him without moving at all, while a third blow cut threw his skin and drew blood. Sir Gawain was amazed and angered and told the Green Knight that this was highly unfair since he had withstood the earlier blow. The Green Knight then held out a hand of friendship to Sir Gawain, praising him for his valor and revealing that the woman Gawain had met at the castle was his wife, sent by the Green Knight to tempt, seduce and weaken the resolve of Sir Gawain. He also said that he had been sent by King Arthur’s half sister, Morgain le Fay, who was Merlin’s mistress and had married King Uther. The purpose was to check the valor of the Knights of the Round Table, and the Green Knight’s name was Bernlak de Haudesert. He praised Sir Gawain for his bravery and they parted ways (Damsroch et al, pp.) PLEASE PUT PAGE NUMBER HERE. A Gest of Robyn Hode Taking the tale of Robin Hood, one sees that all of his merry men are content to live under his leadership in Sherwood Forest and follow his principles. Before sitting down to supper one evening, Robin Hood directs two of his men to bring him a guest. Following Robin’s instructions, Little John comes upon a sad looking knight and persuades him to come with them. After supper, Robin asks how much money he has, upon which the knight says he has ten shillings. The reason as the knight explains is because his son killed two men, and he had to spend all his money and mortgage his land to save him. Robin lends him the money as well as fine clothing, and Little John as an attendant. Upon meeting the abbot, the knight pretends that he cannot repay him and pleads for mercy. Later the knight reveals his deception and repays the abbot, telling him that had he been lenient the knight would have rewarded him. Afterward, the knight saves money to repay Robin, and also gets a hundred bows, with arrows fletched with peacock feathers. One day, while watching a wrestling match, he sees a yeoman who was winning the fight but because he was a stranger, was likely to be killed. So he saves the yeoman. Upon hearing this, Robin refuses to accept repayment from the knight (www.lib.rochester.edu). Did These Popular Tales Transcend Class Boundaries? Recurring themes in both these tales relate to temptations and refraining from submission to them. Gawain is tempted by the wife of the Green Knight and succumbs to an extent, but not totally. His sense of duty prevails upon him and stops him from further dalliances. He is a hero because he is valiant enough to offer himself in combat to the Green Knight, proving worthy of Arthur’s table. There is a sense of foreboding and dread that he has when he is leaving Arthur’s castle because not many could withstand the might of the Green Knight, and Gawain is past his prime. He is human in his love but superhuman in his sense of duty. Robin Hood is mean with the rich but generous with the poor. He understands human need and shows sympathy when needed. He is even prepared to forgo repayment from the knight for one good deed- the act of saving the yeoman’s life. Conclusion From the popularity of both folk tales, it seems that they had managed to cross class boundaries and were being passed on to new generations in both the upper and lower classes of society. The truth is that a hero and heroic principles cannot be reserved for only one class of society, he belongs to all and it is therefore right that the exploits of both Sir Gawain and Robin Hood transcend and be told to all classes- they have values and principles which could be followed and imitated by all. Works Cited Knight, S. & Ohlgren, T. ‘A Gest of Robyn Hode’. The Medieval Institute, 1997. Accessed on 18 April 2011 at http://www.lib.rochester.edu/camelot/teams/gest.htm Damsroch, D.; Dettmar, K.; Baswell, C. & Schotter, A. ‘Gawain and the Green Knight’. The Longman Anthology of British Literature, Volume 1A: The Middle Ages. Longman Publishers, 2010, 656 pgs. Read More